Pennsylvania releases child abuse report

HARRISBURG (AP) — A new report says Pennsylvania’s child abuse hotline received more reports of neglect in 2013 than previous years, but fewer cases were confirmed by authorities.

The Department of Public Welfare report released Friday says there were 26,944 reports of suspected abuse or neglect last year. That’s 280 more than in 2012. There were also 38 child fatalities in 2013, up five from the previous year.

Sexual abuse was involved in 53 percent of all confirmed reports, and 80 percent of those victims were girls.

A total of 3,425 cases were confirmed by authorities, or about 13 percent of all reports. That’s 140 fewer confirmations than in 2012. A total of 3,280 children were listed as abuse victims, and some of those where involved in more than one incident.